"The accusation of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan for deportation and ethnic cleansing is absurd, but it is also an attempt to cover up the systematic and consistent policy of ethnic cleansing committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in Armenia and Azerbaijan in the 20th century."

APA reports that the press service department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan stated this in its comment on the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated January 3, 2023.

"Since 1987, when the territorial claims against Azerbaijan arose again, it is a historical fact that about 1 million Azerbaijanis were deported and ethnically cleansed, and massacres were committed by Armenia against Azerbaijanis."

The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that even during the 44-day Patriotic War, the number of Azerbaijani civilians who died in areas far from the war zone was many times higher than the alleged number of Armenian civilians who died.

"All these are indisputable evidences showing which side is targeting the civilian population. Azerbaijan once again calls on Armenia to comply with its obligations arising from international law and the Tripartite Declaration, to refrain from activities aimed at the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and to stop its aggressive political and military provocations. Azerbaijan's regional peace, its position on stability and development is principled and consistent, measures based on international law and established international experience will be continued," the Azerbaijani MFA said.